Discover what it's like to live in cities and neighborhoods across the U.S.

Seattle

Austin

Chicago

Philadelphia

Atlanta

If you're shopping for a home, your experience depends on two things: which side you're on, and which region you choose. Buying is getting easier with better selection and breathing room, but mortgage rates above 6% remain a barrier; renting is rosier with abundant choices and nearly flat rent growth. The thing is, these conditions play out very differently across regions—a buyer's market in one city might favor sellers in another, so finding the region that actually matches your lifestyle is just as important as knowing whether it's a buyer's or renter's year. See the full 2026 market outlook.